Bovine TB

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much compensation has been paid to farmers in (a) Wales and (b) England for cattle slaughtered under TB control policies in each year since 2001.

Ben Bradshaw: The amount spent on bovine TB compensation for the last five financial years for (a) Wales and (b) England and the forecast for 2005–06, is given in the following table:
	
		
			   £ million 
			  Financial year (a) Wales actual expenditure (b) England actual expenditure 
		
		
			 2000–01 1,288,350 5,715,490 
			 2001–02 2,366,105 7,366,506 
			 2002–03 8,881,841 26,075,860 
			 2003–04 10,298,975 26,586,242 
			 2004–05 9,810,000 24,141,733 
			 2005–06 (1)9,300,000 (1)27,000,000 
		
	
	(1) Forecast

Marine Bill

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what changes she plans to make to the (a) role and (b) jurisdictions of Sea Fisheries Committees, with particular reference to the proposed Marine Bill.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government have undertaken an extensive engagement process with stakeholders on recommendations on inshore fisheries management made by both the Strategy Unit report on the UK fishing industry ("Net benefits") and the Bradley review of fisheries and environmental management. The English Inshore Fisheries Working Group which met as part of that process reached agreement on an updated set of responsibilities and powers which would be needed to operate a modern, efficient system of inshore management and have submitted their report on this to me. Views in the working group were divided on the best structure to deliver inshore fisheries management.
	The response of the four UK Fisheries Departments to the "Net Benefits" response will be published shortly, but we are currently further evaluating the options for the future structure of inshore fisheries management in England. Whatever the outcome of that consideration, there will be a need for legislation, at the minimum to update the current legislative framework for Sea Fisheries Committees. The proposed Marine Bill is likely to be the vehicle for introducing such changes.

Recycling

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many recycling centres there are in England, broken down by (a) region and (b) type of facility.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		Number of recycling sites(2)
		
			 Government office region Regional total 
		
		
			 East Midlands 1,764 
			 Eastern 2,553 
			 London 2,598 
			 North East 588 
			 North West 1,660 
			 South East 3,402 
			 South West 2,137 
			 West Midlands 1,687 
			 Yorkshire/Humber 1,631 
			 Total 18,020 
		
	
	(2) Number of recycling sites under local authority control. Information on the number of sites run by other organisations such as charity shops or supermarkets is not available.

Whaling

Mr. Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with (a) the Government of Norway and (b) other Governments on the practice of whaling; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The UK Government regularly makes its opposition to whaling known to the Government of Norway. Officials will be raising the recent announcement of an increase in Norwegian whaling when they visit the country in the near future.
	Together with Australia and New Zealand, we intend to make our opposition to Japanese 'scientific whaling' known in a forthcoming joint demarche.
	Together with colleagues from the French and German embassies, HM ambassador in Reykjavik issued a statement on 24 May repeating our strong opposition to their continuing 'scientific whaling' programme.
	I made our objections very clear with regard to Norwegian whaling and the Japanese and Icelandic 'scientific whaling', together with the extreme cruelty involved, following the BBC news feature on 9 May on Norwegian whaling.

Flight Path Changes (Consultation)

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints he has received regarding poor consultation procedures for aircraft flight path changes.

Karen Buck: I refer the hon. Member to the answer of 25 May 2005, Official Report, column 123W, where I indicated that the Department does not maintain a noise complaints database. It does however regularly receive representations about aircraft flight paths. Most concerns relate to the effect of noise on correspondents. As part of this, some comment adversely on the way in which they became aware of changes. I am aware of a judicial review case on airspace changes affecting Suffolk.
	Airspace changes are primarily the responsibility of the Directorate of Airspace Policy at the Civil Aviation Authority in the light of Guidance and Directions from the Secretary of State for Transport under section 66(1) of the Transport Act 2000. These are designed to ensure that changes are only made where it is clear, after consultation, that an overall environmental benefit will accrue, or where airspace management considerations and the overriding need for safety allow for no practical alternative.

Council Tax Benefit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what his latest estimate is of the (a) number and (b) percentage of pensioners entitled to council tax benefit who do not receive it; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what his latest estimate is of the total of unclaimed means-tested benefits, including pensions, broken down by benefit, for the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The latest information available on the amount of unclaimed minimum income guarantee, income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit and income-based jobseeker's allowance, relates to financial year 2002–03 and is published in the DWP report entitled: "Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2002/2003". A copy of the report is available in the Library.

Disability Living Allowance

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to simplify the application form for disability living allowance.

Anne McGuire: The administration of disability living allowance is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Disability and Carers Service, Terry Moran. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Terry Moran to Annette Brooke, dated 1 June 2005
	I am writing in response to your recent Parliamentary question in which you asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he plans to simplify the application form for disability living allowance (DLA).
	The Disability Carers Service (DCS) is committed to reviewing and improving the services and products we offer to our customers in consultation with customer representative organisations. This includes looking at ways in which we can simplify our claim packs and address the concerns that our customers have about the difficulties they experience in claiming disability benefits.
	We have recently developed and tested a shortened version of the DLA claim pack but after careful consideration, have concluded that a more "structured" claim form is appropriate. This could be personalised to obtain information about an individual's care and mobility needs arising from their disabilities. The draft "structured" claim form is being designed in line with National Audit Office and Public Accounts Committee recommendations on reviewing and improving Government forms, and through consultation with our customer representative organisations. We intend to pilot the form in the Autumn of this year and will, in conjunction with our customer representatives, be evaluating it for ease of completion and general understanding as well as other criteria.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Broadcasting Reception (Rossendale and Darwen)

Janet Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects (a) Channel 5 and (b) Freeview television to be available throughout Rossendale and Darwen.

James Purnell: We do not have a breakdown of coverage by constituency but Digital Television (DTT) coverage maps have been placed in libraries of both Houses. Freeview also provide a comprehensive postcode database (www.freeview.co.uk) that gives availability of DTT throughout the UK.
	The current availability of Freeview is restricted in much of the constituency because of the local terrain which means that, until switchover, the local transmitter at Winter Hill can only broadcast signals at low strength. At switchover, I expect the power of these signals to be increased significantly.
	Similarly, Winter Hill carries Channel 5 at a reduced power compared to the first four channels, and the areas reliant on the relay transmitter network will not be able to receive it until switchover.

Gaelic/Welsh Language Broadcasting

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding the Department plans to provide for (a) Gaelic language broadcasting in Scotland and (b) Welsh language broadcasting in Wales in financial years (i) 2005–06, (ii) 2006–07 and (iii) 2007–08.

James Purnell: Gaelic language broadcasting is provided by the BBC on radio and television and are a statutory requirement on ITV1 in Scotland; production is funded by the broadcasters and by the Gaelic Media Service (GMS); the funding of £8.5 million for the GMS was transferred from the Secretary of State for Scotland to the Scottish Executive as part of the devolution settlement in 1999. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has also offered a contribution of £250,000 directly from DCMS budgets in 2005–06 as part of the strategy for securing a Gaelic television channel.
	Welsh language broadcasting is provided by the BBC on radio and the Welsh Fourth Channel Authority on S4C television. Funding for S4C continues to fall within my Department's budget and is determined according to a statutory formula: provision is currently set at £92.217 million for 2005–06 and 2006–07 and £92.817 for 2007–08.

Lord Hollick

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what performance indicators are used to assess the performance of Lord Hollick in his role as chairman of the South Bank Centre.

Tessa Jowell: Lord Hollick's performance are assessed against the following criteria:
	Leadership;
	Setting a clear strategic direction;
	Partnership working; and
	Media handling and representation.
	In reappointing Lord Hollick to the Chair's post this year, assessments of his performance were sought by my Department from Arts Council England and other South Bank Board members, as well as from relevant officials at the Department itself. All individuals reappointed to DCMS NDPBs are assessed against similar criteria.

Regeneration (Lanarkshire)

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on further financial measures to continue regeneration in the County of Lanarkshire.

David Cairns: Scotland Office Ministers have regular discussions on a range of issues with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Government recognises that the continued regeneration of the Lanarkshire area, like many other areas, is of crucial importance to both its people and the wider national economy. Many Lanarkshire wards currently benefit from their Enterprise Area status, which brings together a range of Government policies to provide support for businesses in creating jobs, opportunities and prosperity. These efforts will reinforce the work of the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire and help to ensure that all communities benefit from our continuing economic prosperity.

Constitutional Change

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what further constitutional changes that affect Scotland are planned for this parliamentary session.

Alistair Darling: The Government has no plans to reopen the general division between devolved and reserved matters under the Scottish devolution settlement. Neither are there plans to change constitutional arrangements more generally. Elements in some of the Bills recently announced in the Queen's Speech will have an impact on devolved matters in Scotland. These are being handled through the normal arrangements whereby the UK Parliament does not legislate on devolved matters without the consent of the Scottish Parliament.

Energy Supply

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on security of energy supply in Scotland.

David Cairns: Security of supply must always be a core objective of energy policy. We will utilise a wide variety of traditional and new sources of energy and the fullest range of technological developments in order to maintain the future reliability of supplies throughout the UK, while also reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change.
	The major responsibilities for overall energy policy affecting Scotland are reserved to UK Ministers. Scottish Executive Ministers have devolved responsibilities for promotion of renewables and encouraging energy efficiency which are central to security of supply. The Government and the devolved administration are committed to expanding use of renewable energy sources. This applies to proven technologies for onshore wind and to developing technologies to capture Scotland's abundant marine energy resources.
	The Government welcomes the interest which the Scottish Affairs Committee have taken in Scotland's future energy needs and will respond in due course to the report which they published shortly before Parliament was dissolved. We also welcome the independent inquiry launched last month by the Royal Society of Edinburgh into energy supply and demand in Scotland to 2050.

Theft

John Hemming: To ask the Solicitor-General what the policy of the Crown Prosecution Service is relating to the prosecution for first offences of theft from the person; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) reviews all cases in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors. Crown prosecutors consider whether there is sufficient evidence to provide ca realistic prospect of conviction' and if such evidence exists, whether it is in the public interest to prosecute the accused. A prosecution will usually take place unless there are public interest factors tending against prosecution, which clearly outweigh those tending in favour, or it appears more appropriate to divert the person from prosecution. The public interest decision will depend upon all the circumstances of the offence and the background of the offender.
	In respect of adults, diversionary options include informal warnings, cautions, and, in some places, conditional warnings. A caution will only be appropriate when the public interest accords with the Home Office's guidelines on cautioning.
	In respect of youths, the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 established a diversion scheme to prevent re-offending by children and young people, who are issued with reprimands or final warnings aimed at diverting them from crime before they enter the formal court system. This scheme, which replaced the previous system of repeat cautioning, provides a response, with appropriate interventions to reduce re-offending. Although the CPS may be consulted during the course of an enquiry if officers want to seek advice on the correct charge, the decision whether or not to issue a reprimand or final warning is for the police.
	Since the introduction of this scheme, the Home Office has issued detailed guidance to the police forces in England and Wales on the application of the legislation to ensure national consistency. It provides a number of options enabling a reprimand or final warning to be administered to a youth, depending on the seriousness of the offence. The police are guided to the appropriate resolution by the identification of a number of gravity factors in the case. A caution or final warning may be an appropriate disposal where a youth without previous convictions or cautions commits an offence, fully admits it and shows appropriate remorse. A very large percentage of young people who are the subject of the diversion scheme do not re-offend.

Air Conditioning

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what the estimated average (a) energy use, (b) direct greenhouse gas emissions and (c) indirect greenhouse gas emissions were for air conditioning systems to cool domestic homes in the last year for which figures are available;
	(2)  if he will estimate how many homes in the United Kingdom have domestic air conditioning installed; and in what proportion of homes it is estimated under current projections of growth systems will have been installed by (a) 2010, (b) 2020 and (c) 2050.

Elliot Morley: I have been asked to reply.
	It is estimated that current indirect (via electricity generation) carbon emissions from air-conditioning in homes are in the range 20 to 80 kT of carbon per year.
	This represents estimated annual electricity consumption of between 195,000 and 780,000 MWh.
	The global warming effect of direct emissions depends on the refrigerants used, and on the proportion emitted to the atmosphere by leakage, during servicing or on disposal. It is estimated that the direct impact of emissions from air-conditioning in homes is the equivalent of between one and seven kT of carbon per year, depending on the assumptions made for these factors.
	There are limited statistics on the number of air-conditioning systems in UK homes, but the figure is believed to be of the order of 500,000. These are much smaller systems than would be found in larger buildings. Many of them are portable units sold "over the counter". The annual usage of the systems is also uncertain. Emissions and energy use estimates therefore have a wide range of uncertainty. Estimates of the future stock of air-conditioning in homes, based on continuation of current trends are 2005, 0.5 million; 2010, 0.7 million; 2020, 1.1 million; 2050, 2.3 million. In practice, sales will be affected by the pricing and marketing policies of suppliers, household wealth, weather (including perceptions of climate change) and energy efficiency policy measures.

British Summer Time

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations have been received on British Summer Time by his office during the past five years; and how many of these were in favour of continuing British Summer Time throughout the year.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 6 June 2005
	The Department receives representations on British Summer Time from time-to-time. These reflect the divergence of opinion that exists on this issue and indicate that there is no clear public desire for any particular change.

Miners' Compensation

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the process by which deadlines are set for correspondence handling by Capita as contractors in handling coal health claims.

Malcolm Wicks: Deadlines for correspondence handling by the Department's coal health claims handling contractor are part of the service specification in the contract with Capita. Correspondence is generally required to be answered within 10 working.

Nuclear Industry

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much and what percentage of public expenditure on energy research and development was spent on research and development for (a) nuclear fission, (b) nuclear fusion, (c) fossil fuel generation and (d) renewable energy sources in each year since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 23 May 2005
	The table sets out the expenditure of the DTI and research councils on research and development for nuclear fission, fusion, fossil fuel generation and renewables between 1997–78 and 2004–05.
	
		
			 £million 
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05(3) 
		
		
			 Nuclear fission 1.04 1.68 2.56 0.13 2.32 2.41 2.31 2.32 
			 Nuclear fusion 16.6 12.6 14.3 17.0 14.4 14.6 15.63 19.53 
			 Fossil fuel generation 3.43 3.0 2.61 4.85 5.52 4.35 6.25 8.13 
			 Renewable energy(4) 13.7 15.0 14.39 15.46 18.82 24.40 29.07 25.16 
			 Other(5) 1.73 1.87 2.00 2.07 2.27 2.65 1.97 4.86 
		
	
	(3) Estimated spend with some elements not included
	(4) Includes full range of renewables and also Research Council spend on carbon capture, energy storage and networks
	(5) Includes energy efficiency
	In addition further research relating to energy is included in the work of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research which has some £310 million funding from research councils over 2000–2005, and in the work of the Carbon Trust. The UK also participates in international collaborative energy research via the EU and the International Energy Agency.

Nuclear Industry

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many potential threats as defined by the Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003 have occurred at each licensed nuclear installation since 1 January 2004.

Malcolm Wicks: The Nuclear Industries Security Regulations 2003 do not define potential threats. Section 10 of the regulations requires the reporting of security incidents: details of those incidents reported to the Office for Civil Nuclear Security for the year 2004 are at:
	http://www.dti.gov.uk/about/foi/documents/ocns.pdf

Territorial Army

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many Territorial Army soldiers mobilised under section (a) 54 and (b) 56 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 since 1 March 2003 have not been deployed to an overseas operational theatre;
	(2)  how many Territorial Army soldiers have been mobilised under section (a) 52, (b) 54 and (c) 56 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 since 1 March 2003;
	(3)  whether it is his policy to mobilise members of the Territorial Army under sections 54 or 56 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 to occupy United Kingdom-based posts left vacant by members of the regular army on operational services overseas.

Don Touhig: I can confirm that since 1 March 2003: there have been no Territorial Army (TA) soldiers mobilised under Section 52 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996; some 500 TA soldiers have been mobilized under Section 56; and some 9,820 TA soldiers have been mobilised under Section 54. Of the soldiers mobilized under Section 54, some 290 personnel have not deployed to operational theatres and these include: enablers at the Reserves Training and Mobilisation Centre; unit and welfare support staff, who provide a vital liaison role in the home bases of TA units, whose members have been mobilized and deployed; movement control specialists at the Air and Sea Ports of embarkation; Intelligence Analysts; staff officers working in direct support of operations but based in the United Kingdom, and Royal Engineers providing Explosive Ordnance Disposal support in the UK. In addition, it is possible for individuals to be mobilised to fill posts left vacant by members of the regular army serving on operations. However, in general it is our policy to use Reservists contracted on Full Time Reserve Service terms to fill such posts.

Millionaires

Michael Meacher: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many persons are taxed on the basis of incomes of over £1 million a year before allowances; and how many were taxed at that level on that basis in each of the last 10 years.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 6 June 2005
	The information is given in the table as follows.
	
		Number of taxpayers with total income of at least £1 million
		
			  Number: thousand 
			  Income taxpayers 
		
		
			 1995–96(6) 0.7 
			 1996–97(6) 2 
			 1997–98(6) 2 
			 1998–99(6) 3 
			 1999–2000(6) 3 
			 2000–01(6) 5 
			 2001–02(6) 5 
			 2002–03(6) 4 
			 2003–04(7) 4 
			 2004–05(7) 5 
			 2005–06(7) 6 
		
	
	(6) Estimates based on Survey of Personal Incomes
	(7) Estimates based on the 2002–03 Survey of Personal Incomes projected forward in line with Budget 2005 assumptions.

Action Zones (Pupil Achievement)

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what evaluation has been carried out on the impact of (a) education action zones and (b) Excellence in Cities action zones on (i) social or economic disadvantage in the area, (ii) levels of pupil achievement, (iii) unauthorised absence and (iv) exclusion;
	(2)  what independent research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on education action zones and excellence in cities action zones.

Jacqui Smith: A number of DfES commissioned research papers and reports have been published about the progress and impact of education action zones—both statutory and in Excellence in Cities areas:
	"Evidence of progress—an independent review of activities in Education Action Zones". Published in February 2002. The review was carried out by the Centre for Education Leadership and School Improvement (CELSI), Canterbury Christ Church University College, Kent. The report is available through the CELSI website.
	"Education Action Zones: Commentary on the first six Zone Inspections". Ofsted report published 5 March 2001—available on the Ofsted website.
	"Education Action Zones: Tackling difficult issues in round 2 zones". Ofsted report (HMI no. 1711) published 2 October 2003—available on the Ofsted website.
	"Excellence in Cities and Education Action Zones: Management and Impact". Ofsted report (HMI 1399) published 2 June 2003—available on Ofsted website.
	In addition the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) is presently in the final stages of preparing an evaluation of the Excellence in Cities programme which will be published later this year. The evaluation commenced in September 2000. An interim "Partnerships within Excellence in Cities Action Zones" paper was presented in October 2003 and is available on the NFER website: www.nfer.ac.uk/publications.

Bullying

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the incidence of bullying in schools that makes use of mobile phone technology, with particular reference to happy slapping;
	(2)  what guidance has been issued by her Department on the use of a no blame approach to bullying;
	(3)  what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the no blame approach on (a) bullying and (b) the experience of the victim;
	(4)  what assessment she has made of the escalation of bullying into other forms of antisocial behaviour;
	(5)  which anti-bullying groups her Department supports financially; and what the level of that support was in 2004;
	(6)  which voluntary and community sector organisations the Department included in discussions in formulation of its school anti-bullying policies;
	(7)  if she will list departmental programmes aimed at combating bullying; what the cost of each programme is expected to be over its lifetime; and if she will make a statement on the effectiveness of each;
	(8)  what the cost of hosting the regional and national conferences on bullying was; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of regional and national conferences hosted by her Department on combating bullying in terms of spreading best practice.

Jacqui Smith: Tackling bullying in all its forms is an issue which is taken seriously by the Department. No child should have to suffer the pain and indignity of bullying. Protecting children from fear and intimidation is a pre-requisite of raising school standards. Creating an environment where bullying is not tolerated is integral to good discipline; it is central to a strong school ethos and will help to ensure we can support every child to fulfil their potential.
	There has been no national assessment made of incidences of bullying in schools involving the use of mobile phones and in particular happy slapping. However part of the Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) remit under the funding provided by the Department is to develop innovative and practical approaches to tackling bullying, including the modern menace of bullying by text messaging. Bullying by text messages on mobile phones is also referred to in our guidance pack for schools 'Don't suffer in Silence'.
	Departmental guidance on bullying does not refer to the use of an approach with the title "no blame". There has not been an assessment of its effectiveness. "Don't Suffer In Silence", the DfES guidance, describes a range of possible approaches for schools to use, including the support group approach. The key features of this approach are demonstrating to the learners who have been bullying a child the harmful impact of their words and actions, and involving the learners who have been bullying in putting matters right for the child who has suffered.
	There has been no formal assessment of the escalation of bullying into other forms of antisocial behaviour.
	In the 2004–05 financial year the Diana Award received £50,000, ChildLine in Partnership in Schools (CHIPS) £164,000, Parentline Plus 193,000 and the ABA £480,000.
	There are many voluntary sector and community groups included in discussions including Act Against Bullying, Actionwork, Action for Inclusion, Beat Bullying, Bullying Online, Bullywatch, ChildLine, Children's Legal Centre, Children's Society in Rochdale, Commission for Racial Equality, ContinYou, Coram Family, Council for Disabled Children, Educational Action Challenging Homophobia (EACH), Kidscape, National Children's Bureau, NCH, NSPCC, Parentline Plus, Safer Custody Group, Save the Children, School's Out!, SCOPE, Stonewall UK, Observatory for the Promotion of Non-violence, Young Minds, Young Transnet, Young Voice, YWCA England and Wales, Barnardos, The Circle Works, Diana Award, Bully Free Zone, Children are Unbeatable, PUPILINE, Shakti Imani Inclusion Project, The 1990 Trust, Muslim Liaison Committee, Muslim Council of Britain, Bradford Council of Mosques, Lancashire Council of Mosques, An-Nisa Society, Birmingham Central Mosque, Forum against Islamophobia and Racism, Imams and Mosques Council, Islamic Foundation (Leicester), Islamic Cultural Centre, Islamic Human Rights Commission, Islamic Society of Britain, The IQRA Trust, The Muslim Council for Religious and Racial Harmony and the Churches' Commission on Racial Justice.
	Work to support parents, schools and local authorities is carried out in our anti-bullying funded programmes referred to above. These programmes are delivered on our behalf by voluntary sector organisations.
	In answer to the question on the regional and national conferences on bullying—the costs of those conferences from 2003–05 was approximately £1 million. The conferences were a significant success. Evaluations for the London conference were 100 per cent. positive, and for the series overall 97 per cent. positive. Evaluations judged that the conferences had been highly effective in spreading best practice.

Bullying

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the link between bullying and (a) truancy, (b) exclusions, (c) participation in (i) further and (ii) higher education and (d) the incidence of self-harm and suicide in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not collect data on the prevalence of bullying and the impact that it has on truancy, exclusions, participation in further or higher education and the incidence of self-harm and suicide.
	We know from research that bullying puts the emotional well-being and educational achievement of pupils at risk and has a significant and lasting negative impact upon children's lives. This is why the Department is committed to helping schools to prevent and combat bullying.
	To help schools tackle bullying, the Department has issued guidance in the "Bullying: Don't Suffer in Silence" pack and in the "Stand up for us: challenging homophobia in schools" guidance. We have also commissioned various pieces of research to look at effective ways of tackling bullying from children and young people's points of view, launched an anti-bullying charter and in July 2004 funded a national alliance to tackle bullying to tackle bullying to carry forward the momentum of the work of the Make the Difference series of ministerial conferences.

Bullying

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which cross-departmental working groups attended by her Department deal with issues affecting bullying and antisocial behaviour; and which other departments are involved in each case.

Jacqui Smith: DfES both leads and attends a number of cross-government groups who are concerned with the prevention of all negative outcomes for children and young people, including those addressing issues of bullying and anti-social behaviour. In particular, these issues are among those discussed by the Department for Education and Skills' Change for Children Programme Board which includes the Home Office, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department of Health, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Treasury and the Youth Justice Board.
	Home Office, the Youth Justice Board and the Department for Education and Skills are also core members of other groups which have a more specific focus on offending including offending by young people, antisocial behaviour and bullying. These are the Youth Crime Programme Board, the Crime Reduction Delivery Board, the Penalty Notices for Disorder operational working group, the Prolific and Other Priority Offenders Programme Board and the Safer Schools Partnership steering group.
	Other departments who are represented on some or all of these groups include: Department for Constitutional Affairs, Department for Work and Pensions, the Crown Prosecution Service and Government Offices for the Regions.

Bullying

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of links between low levels of literacy and (a) bullying, (b) poor behaviour and (c) truancy.

Jacqui Smith: From published research and our own statistics we are aware that there are links between bullying, poor behaviour and high levels of absence from school and low attainment, which is why this Government have made tackling bullying and low level disruptive behaviour in schools, and tackling truancy from school, a priority.

Disabled Children

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has for the education of disabled children.

Maria Eagle: The Government's plans for education demonstrate their commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to achieve their full potential, including disabled children. The reforms set out in the Department's Five-Year Strategy and Every Child Matters Change for Children Programme aim to help all children, including disabled children, to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution, and achieve economic well-being.
	The range of measures we are taking through "Removing Barriers to Achievement", our special educational needs strategy, will help to build the capacity of all early education settings and schools to meet the needs of disabled children and children with SEN throughout their education. Specifically, we are working with the Disability Rights Commission and the Council for Disabled Children to provide schools with practical tools to improve their effectiveness in making reasonable adjustments to include disabled pupils and in reviewing and revising their plans for increasing access for disabled pupils to school premises and facilities, to the curriculum, and to information in alternative formats.
	Under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, public bodies, including schools, will also have a duty to promote equality of opportunity for disabled people. This will help them to secure improved outcomes for disabled people—as employees, as service users and as pupils and students.

Level 2 Qualifications

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what resources she has allocated in the 2005–06 financial year to assist further education colleges to identify adults without a Level 2 qualification to receive free tuition;
	(2)  what resources she has provided in the 2005–06 financial year to ensure that more adults of working age achieve a first full Level 2 by 2010.

Bill Rammell: My Department's grant letter of 15 November 2004 to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) allocated a total of £6.7 billion for learning participation in 2005–06. The letter reiterated our key priorities for 2005/06 to meet the needs of young people, those lacking literacy, numeracy and English Language skills and those seeking a first full Level 2 qualification.
	No new resources have been allocated specifically for Level 2 entitlement. The LSC allocates funds to providers based upon agreed development plans that deliver our priorities, and will consider Level 2 entitlement as part of this process.

Run-away Children

Mr. Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what emergency accommodation provision is in place for children who run away from home; what plans she has to increase these facilities; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Local authorities and their local partner agencies in children's services have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in their areas. This includes providing accommodation for any child, where the person caring for them is prevented from providing him/her with suitable accommodation or care.
	For the majority of young people who run away from home it will be in their interests to be provided with support that maintains them in their family network. Given the variety of ways in which children who run away come to official attention, for example outside normal working hours or in emergencies, some young people may require immediate access to overnight accommodation. Usually, the local authority's children's services will be best placed to provide this. However, the Social Exclusion Unit, in its report "Young Runaways" (2002) found that runaways may have difficulty accessing emergency overnight accommodation at the point of need.
	For this reason, the Government have provided funding for a two year pilot scheme to develop, evaluate and test out the delivery and costs of flexible community based accommodation for young runaways. Six sites are now operating—in Co. Durham, Liverpool, Leicestershire/Leicester City and Rutland, Bradford, Torquay and London (at the long-established London Refuge). These pilot services have now reached the end of their first year. Government will give careful consideration to the lessons from this pilot programme to inform policy about future services for vulnerable young people who run away from home.

School Meals

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the new vocational qualification for school caterers;
	(2)  how many schools currently participate in the Healthy Schools Programme;
	(3)  what proportion of schools provide drinking water to pupils;
	(4)  what proportion of (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools meet current nutritional standards for school meals at lunch time;
	(5)  what proportion of schools provide vegetables and/or fruit on most days; and if she will make a statement;
	(6)  what progress she has made in preparing legislation extending new nutritional based standards to cover food across the school day.

Jacqui Smith: Together with the Food Standards Agency and People 1st, the Department has developed a Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) at Level 1 in Healthier Catering. It is currently with awarding bodies to arrange for accreditation by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. The qualification should be in place and available for people to start on courses this autumn term. It is intended to give school cooks and caterers the knowledge and skills to deliver a healthier meals service. It has been specifically designed for staff involved in the preparation and service of school meals and it will enable school caterers to improve pupil nutritional intake from all food provided by the school meals service. It will ensure that everyone in the school kitchen aspires to the same high standards.
	15,791 schools are currently participating in the Healthy Schools Programme. We currently targeting all schools with a 20 per cent. or more free school meals entitlement and aim to recruit the remainder of schools to the programme by 2009.
	DfES does not collect data on the proportion of schools that provide drinking water to pupils. However, regulations require all local authority maintained schools in England to have a wholesome supply of water for domestic purposes, including drinking water. However, it is for local education authorities, governors and schools to decide how and when drinking water should be made available to pupils.
	Guidance produced by this Department advises caterers on meeting the requirements of the Government's nutritional standards for school lunches and recommends that drinking water should be made available to all pupils every day, free of charge. In addition, the Healthy Living Blueprint for Schools document suggests that all pupils should have access to drinking water at all times at a number of points around the school, preferably not from taps in toilets. The guidance also suggests that pupils should be permitted to carry water with them and consumption encouraged both in class and during break and lunchtime.
	DfES does not routinely collect data on schools adherence to statutory school lunch nutritional standards. The responsibility for ensuring that the standards are met rests with local education authorities or, where the budget for school lunches is delegated to them, a school's governing body. Ultimately, the Secretary of State can direct a school to meet the standards where she considers they are failing to do so.
	As part of the package aimed at improving school lunches, we are looking at a number of ways to strengthen the monitoring of school food:
	From September 2005, every school inspection will include an assessment of the school's contribution to the Every Child Matters outcomes. Ofsted will review the quality of school approaches to food as part of their regular school inspections. In addition, Ofsted will be making visits to a number of pilot LEAs and schools in the autumn, working alongside nutritionists to determine the best way to inspect the proposed school meal standards. Once the new standards are in place, Ofsted will sample schools across LEAs to investigate how well they are being used;
	Support for healthy eating will be one aspect of children's services Joint Area Reviews at Local Authority level;
	Additional requirements for local authorities and school governing bodies to monitor the content of school lunches.
	Current minimum school lunch standards require all schools to provide food from the fruit and vegetable group on a daily basis. More specifically, primary schools must ensure that both a fruit and a vegetable are provided on a daily basis; a fruit based desert is available at least twice per week; and fresh fruit, fruit tinned in juice or fruit salad is available every day. In secondary schools two foods from the fruit and vegetable group must be available each day, which must include both a fruit and a vegetable.
	In addition, 16,069, or 97 per cent. of eligible schools (February 2005) benefit daily from the free fruit and vegetables provided by the Government's National School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme.
	A School Meals Review Panel has been convened to recommend changes to current school lunch standards. The panel's work is expected to produce new draft school lunch standards for secondary schools in September 2005 and for primary schools soon after, both becoming mandatory in September 2006. Once the school lunch standards have been considered the panel will then set about looking at how the standards could apply to other food and drink on school premises, e.g. vending machines and tuck-shops. Any extended standards will need to be enshrined within regulations as are the current standards.

School Playing Fields

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school playing fields have been sold, and for what reasons, in each year since 2001.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 6 June 2005
	Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 requires local authorities and schools to obtain the written consent of the Secretary of State before they can dispose of any part of a school's playing field. Schools are only allowed to dispose of genuinely surplus areas of playing field. All sale proceeds from approved applications are used to provide new or improved sports or education facilities at maintained schools.
	The following table shows the number of applications to sell school playing fields larger than a small sports pitch for the under 10s, that is, larger than 2,000m 2 , that have been approved in each year since 2001. Of a total of 79 approved applications, 31 were at closed or closing school sites. Of the 48 approved applications at operating schools, 33 involved proposals to improve on-site sports facilities, such as new all-weather pitches, sports halls or improved grass sports pitches. In the remaining 15 cases the proceeds were to be used to provide better education facilities at schools, such as new classrooms and performing arts facilities.
	
		
			 Calendar year Approved applications 
		
		
			 2001 22 
			 2002 24 
			 2003 17 
			 2004 14 
			 2005 (to date) 2 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The table includes applications to sell school playing fields from local authorities, foundation, voluntary and former grant-maintained schools.
	2. All sale proceeds are used to provide new or improved sports or education facilities at maintained schools.
	3. "Sports pitch" means an area of open grassed land which is equal to, or larger than, the Football Association's recommended 2,000m(8) area for games played by under 10s, and which has a configuration making it suitable for sports, whether laid out as a sports pitch or not.

Social Exclusion

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of links between social exclusion and the behavioural problems of children and young people.

Jacqui Smith: Research conducted by and for the Department shows there is a link between social exclusion and behaviour and that there is a complex interaction between risk and protective factors that can lead to the development of antisocial behaviour among children and young people and to later social exclusion. In addition, research suggests that this could be a two-way relationship, with behavioural problems both leading to, and resulting from, social exclusion.
	The Department has commissioned a number of pieces of research to explore these issues in more detail as well as looking at what interventions are effective in reducing the risk of these negative outcomes. Some key examples of this are: "Support from the Start: working with young children and their families to reduce the risks of crime and antisocial behaviour", "Preventing Children's Involvement in Crime and Anti-social Behaviour: a literature review"; and "Offenders of the Future? Assessing the Risk of Children and Young People Becoming Involved in Criminal or Antisocial Behaviour".
	In addition, the Youth Cohort Study shows that pupils' poor behaviour and poor attendance at school are associated with a greater likelihood of not being involved in education, employment or training at ages 16–18 and lower attainment at GCSE. The Social Exclusion Unit's "Bridging the Gap" report showed that these factors increase the risk of social exclusion. The report also concluded that related risk factors for non-participation in education, employment or training include mental health problems, educational disaffection, use of drugs or alcohol and involvement in criminal/antisocial behaviour.
	These issues are acknowledged in the Green Paper "Every Child Matters" and in the development of the Change for Children Programme, signalling the Department's commitment to improving children and young people's outcomes. The Government's aim is for every child, whatever their background or their circumstances, to have the support they need to: be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve through learning, make a positive contribution to society and achieve economic well-being. As part of this the Department is committed to improving behaviour in schools, and has implemented a range of policies (such as the Behaviour Improvement Programme) aimed at tackling the issues of poor behaviour and poor attendance in order to reduce the risk of negative outcomes in later life for young people.

Social Exclusion

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of links between social exclusion and the behavioural problems of children in early years education.

Jacqui Smith: Research evidence, such as my Department's Effective Provision of Pre-school Education (EPPE) study, shows a link between social deprivation and the risk of poor social and behavioural development in the early years. It is also known from research that good quality pre-school education and child care can have clear positive effects on children's social and emotional development in the early years and into primary school.
	In recognition of the importance of young children starting to develop good social skills in their earliest years of life the Department has a PSA target to (a) improve children's communication, social and emotional development so that, by 2008, 50 per cent. 1 of children reach a good level of development at the end of the Foundation Stage; and (b) to reduce inequalities between the level of development achieved by children in the 20 per cent. most disadvantaged areas and the rest of England.
	The Department has also appointed the Institute of Psychology, King's College London to develop a training programme on young children's personal social and emotional development to support the "Birth to Three Matters" and "Curriculum Guidance for the Foundation Stage" documents.
	1 The proposed target level is provisional. Level to be confirmed when 2005 Foundation Stage Profile results are available.

Tomlinson Inquiry

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost of the Tomlinson Inquiry into 14 to 19 Education was.

Jacqui Smith: The cost of the working group on 14–19 reform, chaired by Sir Mike Tomlinson, was some £1.3 million over the 18 months lifetime of the group. In addition, the running costs of the departmental staff supporting the working group amounted to some £400,000.
	The working group did a great deal of valuable work which helped to inform the White Paper, 14–19 Education and Skills, published in February and to build consensus on the need for reform.

Green Belt

Mark Prisk: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many hectares of green belt land there were in (a) Hertfordshire, (b) Bedfordshire, (c) Essex, (d) Cambridgeshire, (e) Norfolk and (f) Suffolk in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2004.

Yvette Cooper: The Government expect to publish figures updated to 2004 on the extent of, and changes to, the green belt this autumn. The most recent figures available are set out as follows.
	
		
			  Area Hectares 
			 Counties(9) (including unitary councils) 1997 2003 Change 
		
		
			 Hertfordshire 83,660 83,610 -50 
			 Bedfordshire and Luton UA 28,380 28,380 0 
			 Essex, including Southend on Sea UA and  Thurrock UA 97,650 97,810 160 
			 Cambridgeshire 26,690 26,690 0 
			 Norfolk 0 0 0 
			 Suffolk 0 0 0 
		
	
	(9) The responsible local planning authority is the 'district' level council. County names refer to geographic counties and not to those administrative bodies.
	That data reproduced after grouping into 'counties'.
	Source:
	"Local planning authority, Green Belt statistics: England 2003", published by ODPM on 16 September 2004 at http://www.odpm. gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm planning/documents/page/odpm plan 031125.hcsp

Homeless Families

Sally Keeble: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many families with children are being accommodated in bed-and-breakfast hostels.

Yvette Cooper: On 31 December 2004, the latest date for which information is available, an estimated 820 households containing dependent children or a pregnant woman were living in bed and breakfast style accommodation in England. This represents 1 per cent. of all households in temporary accommodation, and a decrease of 6,140 households since March 2002. Of these 820 households, 100 had been resident in bed and breakfast for more than six weeks; of these, 36 were housed under local authorities' discretionary powers—for example during a review or appeal—so weren't being housed in breach of The Homelessness (Suitability of Accommodation) (England) Order 2003 which came into force on 1 April 2004, to reinforce and sustain the bed and breakfast target that no family with children should have to live in a bed-and-breakfast hotel for longer than six weeks by March 2004.
	These figures are included in the latest statistical release on statutory homelessness, published 14 March 2005, available in both the Library of the House and via the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website. The next release, for the first quarter of 2005 and presenting the position on usage of temporary accommodation as at 31 March, will be published on 13 June.

Housing

John Denham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the (a) minimum, (b) average and (c) maximum public capital cost per (i) shared ownership property and (ii) social rented home was in each region in England in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Yvette Cooper: The table shows the lowest, average and highest level of public capital investment per unit for the schemes included in the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme (ADP) 2004–06 for each region in England broken down by shared ownership and social rent.
	
		
			   £ 
			  Shared ownership Rent 
			 Region Lowest Average Highest Lowest Average Highest 
		
		
			 London 10,000 39,548 93,404 10,484 99,902 262,500 
			 South East 2,500 23,034 80,600 3,333 58,715 185,425 
			 South West 2,000 18,559 71,250 1,500 49,495 319,850 
			 East Midlands 1,667 20,634 62,083 3,214 43,196 133,333 
			 Eastern 1,667 18,718 64,000 2,000 47,313 168,680 
			 West Midlands 5,000 23,684 68,780 8,413 52,473 136,508 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 16,938 18,460 37,985 15,717 47,945 102,605 
			 North East 17,807 30,848 60,797 18,871 54,771 161,853 
			 North West 2,125 31,340 71,160 10,000 67,226 297,066 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures based on ADP allocation and other public sector investment by scheme as at 31 May 2005.
	Source:
	Housing Corporation

Housing

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many people were on the housing need list in each London borough on the last date for which figures are available; how many new lettings there were in each such borough in 2004–05; and how many new dwellings are expected to become available for new tenancies in 2005–06.

Yvette Cooper: Information on the number of new local authority (LA) lettings made during 2004–05 is not yet available. Therefore, the latest information, for 2003–04, on:
	the number of households on the housing waiting lists at 1 April;
	the number of social (LA and registered social landlords (RSLs)) lettings made to new tenants, and;
	the number of new RSL dwellings planned for rent covering two years, 2004–05 and 2005–06.
	in each London borough is given in the following table:
	Local authorities sometimes maintain a common waiting list with the RSLs, sometimes known as housing associations, in their district. However, information is not held centrally where a RSL maintains a separate waiting list to the local authority.
	The number of new RSL dwellings planned for rent has been provided covering two years as the Housing Corporation now plan the building of new RSL dwellings using a two-year allocation process.
	
		Table: Housing waiting list numbers, new social lettings made and new RSL dwellings planned for rent in 2004–05 and 2005–06,by London borough(10)
		
			 London borough Households on the housing waiting list at 1 April 2004 Number of social lettings(11) to new tenants during 2003–04 Number of new RSL dwellings planned for rent in 2004–05 and 2005–06(12) 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 3,149 1,126 315 
			 Barnet(13) 10,732 827 346 
			 Bexley(13) 4,404 1,137 105 
			 Brent 15,504 1,296 692 
			 Bromley 3,866 966 197 
			 Camden 15,757 2,648 230 
			 City of London 914 140 0 
			 Croydon(13) 8,067 2,163 385 
			 Ealing 12,808 1,394 357 
			 Enfield 12,584 1,117 312 
			 Greenwich 6,710 2,927 468 
			 Hackney 11,016 2,856 458 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham(13) 7,874 1,561 325 
			 Haringey 16,920 1,492 488 
			 Harrow 4,333 795 96 
			 Havering 2,384 673 176 
			 Hillingdon(13) 6,910 993 130 
			 Hounslow 7,088 974 327 
			 Islington 6,871 2,118 369 
			 Kensington and Chelsea(13) 8,326 1,353 170 
			 Kingston upon Thames(13) 4,465 439 269 
			 Lambeth 12,847 2,990 635 
			 Lewisham(13) 17,497 2,027 301 
			 Merton 4,834 821 121 
			 Newham 19,503 1,573 525 
			 Redbridge 4,766 694 156 
			 Richmond upon Thames(13) 4,868 564 53 
			 Southwark 6,657 2,904 425 
			 Sutton 2,145 821 164 
			 Tower Hamlets(13) 14,575 4,008 919 
			 Waltham Forest 9,016 1,559 107 
			 Wandsworth 6,672 1,714 41 
			 Westminster 5,667 2,672 215 
			 London total 279,729 51,342 9,877 
		
	
	(10) Social housing is the combination of local authority (LA) and registered social landlord (RSL) tenures.
	(11) New LA and RSL lettings have been combined and shown here.
	(12) Number of RSL dwellings for which an allocation of funding was made available as part of the Approved Development Programme 2004–06 in March 2004. These figures are for rented schemes being provided either through new build or acquisition and refurbishment.
	(13) Denotes that the London borough has a common waiting list with the RSLs in their area.
	Source:
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix return, Housing Corporation's CORE return and the Housing Corporation London Allocation Statement 2004–06

Housing

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will list sites released for new housing under the proposals which he announced on 25 May;
	(2)  which of the sites released for new housing under the proposals announced on 25 May are in (a) Greater London and (b) the constituency of Chipping Barnet; and which of the latter are on green belt land.

Yvette Cooper: The announcement by my right hon. Friends the Deputy Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer on 25 May referred to 700 sites currently entered on the Register of surplus public sector land which is maintained by English Partnerships. The sites' owners and English Partnerships are currently reviewing all registered sites to assess their development potential. A list of the sites, as at March 2005, can be found on the English Partnerships website at: http://www.englishpartnerships.co.uk/images/16EE954C9043 40DDAB44702EF5D2 ADE6.pdf
	51 sites on the Register as at March 2005 are situated in the Greater London area. None of these sites is located in Chipping Barnet. An updated list of Register sites will be published by English Partnerships towards the end of June 2005.
	In addition, it was announced on 1 April that a portfolio of nearly 100 ex-NHS sites, would be transferred from the Department of Health to English Partnerships. The first tranche of 67 sites transferred on 6 April. Work is on-going with partners and local authorities to assess each site to identify how they can contribute to local housing and employment needs. It is estimated that the total portfolio of 96 sites could accommodate up to 15,000 new homes nationally, with at least 5,000 being affordable. This estimate is subject to planning permission for the individual sites, and residential development will not be appropriate on all of the sites.

Local Authorities (General Elections)

Andrew Love: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  what guidance is provided to local authorities on factors to be taken into account in the run-up to a parliamentary general election; and to what extent that guidance is required to be observed (a) before an election is announced, (b) in the period between announcement of an election and the dissolution of Parliament and (c) following dissolution;
	(2)  whether the amendments made following the 2001 general election to the guidance issued to local authorities on factors to be taken into account in the run-up to a general election are fully in force.

Harriet Harman: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government do not issue guidance to local authorities on factors to be taken into account before, during or after a UK parliamentary election. Guidance on the administration of elections is issued to returning officers by the Electoral Commission—"Managing a UK parliamentary general election-good practice guidance manual" is available on the Commission's website at: http://www.electoralcommission.gov.uk/files/dms/GeguidancePartGFINAL 15842–11649 E S W .pdf. Guidance on recounts can be found in Part G of this document. Other specific guidance—for instance on security issues and Returning Officers' expenses—is issued by my Department and is available on the departmental website.
	Returning officers operate independently from both local authorities and central government. Any guidance is offered for their assistance but they are not bound either to accept or to follow it.

Urban Growth Areas

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which areas in England are designated as Urban Growth Areas.

Yvette Cooper: The Regional Planning Guidance for the South East (RPG9, March 2001) identified Ashford, Milton Keynes/South Midlands (MKSM) and London-Stansted-Cambridge (LSC), alongside the Thames Gateway, as growth areas to be taken forward through assessment of potential, and then examination and testing in the regional planning process. In February 2004 the London-Stansted-Cambridge area was expanded to include all of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (now known as LSCP).
	In addition, in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's 5 Year Plan "Homes for All" (January 2005) my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced that additional support would be offered to assist other areas in the wider south-east and adjoining regions where local partners wish to bring forward major proposals for sustainable growth. No decision has been made yet on locations for additional support.

Community Support Officers

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the community support officers the Government plan to recruit by 2008 he expects to be posted in Coventry.

Hazel Blears: At the end of March there was 6,300 community support officers (CSOs) in England and Wales, 223 of these in the West Midlands police. As set out in our booklet "Neighbourhood Policing: your police; your community; our commitment", we will provide funding to support an increase in the numbers of CSOs to 24,000 in 2008. We will announce later in the year, following discussions with the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Association of Police Authorities what funding will be allocated for each police authority. It will be for the chief constable of the West Midlands police to determine the deployment of CSOs in the force area.

Council Tax

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outturn band D council tax precepts were for each police authority in England and Wales in each year from 1997–98 to 2005–06.

Hazel Blears: The information is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  £ 
			  Police precept on council tax (band D) 
			 Police authority 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 52.04 54.86 60.62 67.59 72.66 
			 Bedfordshire 52.51 55.84 61.36 66.98 70.26 
			 Cambridgeshire 51.03 48.24 52.11 62.46 68.04 
			 Cheshire 51.16 53.86 56.28 61.06 64.66 
			 Cleveland 54.87 48.43 62.55 65.58 69.51 
			 Cumbria 58.20 72.35 78.27 84.23 90.60 
			 Derbyshire 51.31 57.30 65.85 71.12 75.38 
			 Devon and Cornwall 49.79 48.30 53.52 58.87 61.81 
			 Dorset 63.59 70.61 77.13 84.42 92.25 
			 Durham 52.20 48.60 50.40 52.65 56.43 
			 Dyfed-Powys 48.42 59.58 72.99 85.41 90.90 
			 Essex 54.09 62.28 65.07 67.95 71.01 
			 Gloucestershire 51.17 57.74 68.90 77.98 82.05 
			 Greater Manchester 54.10 56.28 60.22 62.72 64.66 
			 Gwent 49.10 54.36 59.74 74.97 84.03 
			 Hampshire 51.75 50.13 53.91 55.08 59.04 
			 Hertfordshire 51.51 58.83 63.54 67.99 72.39 
			 Humberside 52.47 52.47 54.81 60.30 85.77 
			 Kent 51.59 48.41 52.48 55.73 60.26 
			 Lancashire 53.25 53.41 57.69 62.60 67.89 
			 Leicestershire 52.26 61.21 63.79 67.80 75.52 
			 Lincolnshire 69.03 78.93 81.99 86.49 90.36 
			 Merseyside 66.87 71.78 77.44 81.31 85.37 
			 Metropolitan 63.27 76.48 82.51 90.95 118.85 
			 Norfolk 50.58 53.64 64.35 72.09 83.61 
			 Northamptonshire 70.56 69.29 76.08 79.65 83.00 
			 Northumbria 52.73 47.67 49.82 52.06 55.65 
			 North Wales 48.52 58.54 66.33 78.49 82.72 
			 North Yorkshire 49.72 48.46 52.20 57.04 62.59 
			 Nottinghamshire 49.78 54.32 61.55 65.17 70.17 
			 South Wales 49.22 56.25 65.36 80.42 85.57 
			 South Yorkshire 53.29 54.28 56.72 59.26 62.79 
			 Staffordshire 54.74 72.42 78.86 83.43 94.37 
			 Suffolk 51.39 52.38 56.16 61.11 67.14 
			 Surrey 44.64 66.06 75.24 79.41 83.08 
			 Sussex 51.66 50.94 53.19 55.53 59.13 
			 Thames Valley 52.79 50.76 56.53 60.34 64.49 
			 Warwickshire 52.24 62.09 71.18 77.57 85.17 
			 West Mercia 50.87 53.64 59.00 74.06 78.50 
			 West Midlands 53.20 48.99 51.19 54.77 57.21 
			 West Yorkshire 53.17 52.41 54.76 58.73 60.82 
			 Wiltshire 55.22 62.77 68.98 75.84 83.26 
		
	
	
		
			 £ 
			  Police precept on council tax (band D) 
			 Police authority 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 83.40 111.64 125.09 131.34 
			 Bedfordshire 78.69 93.44 107.17 111.98 
			 Cambridgeshire 94.59 113.31 129.33 135.54 
			 Cheshire 73.54 88.10 97.71 102.60 
			 Cleveland 96.13 120.22 136.84 143.68 
			 Cumbria 100.48 130.71 150.28 155.43 
			 Derbyshire 91.96 111.77 122.88 129.02 
			 Devon and Cornwall 73.80 103.27 113.39 119.62 
			 Dorset 103.50 123.39 135.36 142.11 
			 Durham 64.44 79.56 91.53 96.03 
			 Dyfed-Powys 98.10 124.11 142.65 143.10 
			 Essex 77.67 92.97 99.27 104.76 
			 Gloucestershire 94.01 142.59 156.71 162.90 
			 Greater Manchester 68.86 91.65 98.52 105.41 
			 Gwent 95.17 119.11 139.13 145.07 
			 Hampshire 75.15 97.29 108.36 113.76 
			 Hertfordshire 81.01 98.28 112.53 118.09 
			 Humberside 95.40 113.04 129.96 135.72 
			 Kent 73.64 94.95 105.66 110.88 
			 Lancashire 73.86 87.57 100.70 107.72 
			 Leicestershire 95.21 104.77 120.11 126.04 
			 Lincolnshire 94.86 104.40 112.23 119.43 
			 Merseyside 94.76 101.54 110.17 115.68 
			 Metropolitan 130.59 159.13 184.08 196.28 
			 Norfolk 100.35 121.95 138.69 145.53 
			 Northamptonshire 105.25 130.09 149.43 154.41 
			 Northumbria 58.15 63.80 66.93 70.03 
			 North Wales 96.53 126.94 151.57 158.94 
			 North Yorkshire 88.59 156.00 171.50 176.00 
			 Nottinghamshire 85.17 109.30 120.12 126.01 
			 South Wales 89.85 103.51 115.71 120.40 
			 South Yorkshire 74.09 94.30 102.79 107.88 
			 Staffordshire 100.93 126.50 138.44 145.28 
			 Suffolk 82.08 109.35 119.70 125.01 
			 Surrey 96.44 135.09 147.06 154.26 
			 Sussex 69.84 97.74 105.12 110.25 
			 Thames Valley 73.49 106.24 120.51 126.28 
			 Warwickshire 101.78 117.30 126.55 132.52 
			 West Mercia 104.50 119.80 137.69 143.17 
			 West Midlands 61.88 71.16 80.08 83.68 
			 West Yorkshire 75.92 88.81 102.06 107.05 
			 Wiltshire 91.54 109.68 120.63 126.63 
		
	
	Source:
	Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the National Assembly for Wales

Happy Slapping

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to tackle the practice known as happy slapping.

Hazel Blears: There are a number of offences which cover the practice of "happy slapping". These include common assault and battery where one person recklessly or intentionally causes another person to fear immediate violence or to sustain unlawful personal violence, plus a range of offences where actual injury is caused. Maximum penalties range from six months' imprisonment for common assault up to life for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The Government takes the issue of violent crime and its impact on people's lives very seriously. Even though the British Crime Survey shows that violent crime has fallen by 26 per cent. since 1997, it fully recognises public concern and is taking forward several initiatives to tackle violent crime in all its forms and make the country as safe as possible for law-abiding citizens. In particular, the Government will shortly introduce the Violent Crime Reduction Bill which will target irresponsible drinking, imitation firearms and knives.

Householders (Police Guidance)

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to the police in the use of reasonable force by householders defending themselves, others or property from intruders.

Hazel Blears: The Crown Prosecution Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers issued guidance in February 2005 which sets out in plain language what householders' rights are and the level of force that they can use if faced with an intruder in their home. In supporting this, the Home Office has issued general guidance which is contained in our "Guide to Home Security" and "Be Safe, Be Secure" leaflets and on the Crime Reduction website www.crimereduction.gov.uk.

Police

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on steps taken by his Department to maintain the public's confidence in the police in rural areas.

Hazel Blears: The Government sees neighbourhood policing as central to further reducing crime and people's fear of crime and increasing public trust and confidence in policing. The Government has made a commitment that by 2008, every area in England and Wales will benefit from dedicated neighbourhood policing teams which will be led by police officers and involve Special Constables, Community Support Officers, volunteers and neighbourhood wardens among others. These teams will provide a visible, accessible and responsive police presence in rural and urban areas. By the end of 2005, every force in England and Wales will have a pathfinder area (in what are known as Basic Command Units). Forces will be able to develop local approaches to neighbourhood policing which are tailored to their local needs, including those for rural areas. New measures have been introduced to the policing performance assessment framework which report on customer satisfaction with the services delivered by the police and public confidence in the police in the local area.

Police

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he plans to increase the numbers of full-time police officers over the next five years (a) in England and Wales and (b) in Norfolk.

Hazel Blears: In line with our manifesto commitment we will carry on funding the police service to enable it to continue to employ historically high numbers of police officers. There were 140,135 police officers in England and Wales at the end of September 2004 and 1,536 in the Norfolk constabulary There are 6,300 community support officers (CSO) as of 31 March 2005, including 69 in Norfolk. Our booklet "Neighbourhood Policing: your police; your community; our commitment" (published in March 2005) set out plans for effective neighbourhood policing over the period to 2008. This includes freeing up the equivalent of 12,000 police officers from back-office bureaucracy and our plans to provide funding to support an increase to 24,000 CSOs by 2008, through the Neighbourhood Policing Fund.

Stop and Search

Christopher Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has conducted research into the impact on the use of police time of the requirement to make a record of all stop and searches.

Hazel Blears: We published, "The views of the public on the phased implementation of recording police stops" (Home Office Development and Practice report—22) and, "An evaluation of the phased implementation of the recording of police stops" (Home Office Development and Practice report—23), in July 2004. Both reports comment on officers' recording practices, including the time officers spent on recording 'stops' and searches.

Antibiotics

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government will make all bacterial diseases that are resistant to all antibiotics reportable; and what steps the Government are taking to deal with the development of resistance to antibiotics in infections.

Caroline Flint: There are no plans to make all bacterial diseases resistant to antibiotics notifiable as the Health Protection Agency already operates reporting systems.
	The Government produced the UK "Antimicrobial Strategy and Action Plan" in June 2000. The strategy identifies three key elements in controlling antimicrobial resistance, surveillance, to provide an information base for action; prudent antimicrobial use, to limit unnecessary pressure for the emergence of resistance; and infection control, to limit the spread of infection in general, and thus some of the need for antimicrobial agents.
	We have built on this by establishing the specialist advisory committee on antimicrobial resistance (SACAR) in 2001 to provide scientific advice. SACAR has an active work programme that is taken forward by a number of sub-groups. Another relevant initiative is the £12 million we are providing over three years to help hospital clinical pharmacists monitor the use of antibiotics.

Childhood Cancer

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she expects the Draper report on childhood cancer and electromagnetic field exposures from power lines to be published; what assessment she has made of the data on which the findings are based; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: A study of childhood cancer in relation to distance from high voltage power lines in England and Wales was published in the British Medical Journal on 4 June. The work was led by Dr. Draper at the Oxford childhood cancer research group and was funded under the Department's radiation protection research programme. The results found an association between an increased incidence of leukaemia for children whose home address at birth was near power lines. There was no association for other childhood cancers. Magnetic field exposures were not included in the publication, but will be included in the next phase of the study. A response statement has been posted on the Health Protection Agency (HPA) website at www.hpa.org.uk/radiation.
	There have been a number of population studies in the past that have linked magnetic field exposure with a raised incidence of childhood leukaemia. This has led to the International Agency for Cancer Research to classify extremely low frequency fields as a "possible carcinogen". The World Health Organization and the HPA in this country have recommended additional research and the need for further precautionary measures to be considered. Government officials have already started detailed discussions with industry, regulators, professional bodies and interest groups about how to respond and a stakeholder group has been set up with the intention of making recommendations in the interests of society as a whole.

Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what additional resources will be made available to NHS bodies in the event of an outbreak of pandemic influenza.

Caroline Flint: Planning for emergencies is a core task for national health service bodies. The Government are purchasing 14.6 million courses of antivirals to support the NHS response. The Department has published operational guidance for the NHS entitled "Influenza Pandemic Contingency Planning: Operational guidance for health service planners" to help NHS organisations with their plans, and has tasked the Health Protection Agency to produce infection control guidance and clinical management protocols, which will help the NHS in planning effectively.

IVF

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the success rate of births using IVF has been in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: The live birth rate per treatment cycle started, for the United Kingdom, is shown in the table:
	
		In vitro fertilisation (IVF): Live birth rates per treatmentcycle started 1997
		
			 Live birth rate (percentage) 
			  Fresh embryo transfers Frozen embryo transfers Fresh/Frozen embryo transfers 
		
		
			 1997–98 — — (24)16.41 
			 1998–99 — — (24)18.21 
			 1999–2000 — — (24)20.71 
			 2000–01 — — (24)21.81 
			 2001–02(25) — — — 
			 
			 2002–033, 4
			 under 35 27.6 15.4 — 
			 35–37 22.3 15.5 — 
			 38–39 18.3 14.0 — 
			 40–42 10.0 10.7 — 
		
	
	(24) Figures are for patients of all ages using fresh and frozen embryo transfer.
	(25) No figures published for 2001–02.
	(26) No "all ages" figures published. Live birth rates published by age band and embryo type for IVF patients using own eggs.
	(27) The most recent year for which information is available.
	Source:
	Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority annual reports and patient guide.

Mobile Telephones

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has examined on whether there is a link between keeping a working mobile phone in a breast pocket and cardiac rhythm dysfunction; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Only a few scientific studies have investigated if the signals from mobile phones can have a detrimental effect on the heart and I am advised that these have not found any consistent effects on cardiac function or blood pressure. The United Kingdom mobile telecommunications and health research (MTHR) programme, jointly funded by Government and industry, is currently supporting a large, well conducted study investigating the effects of mobile phones on blood pressure and cardiac function in healthy people. The results are expected to be published in 2006. Descriptions of all the studies supported under this research programme are on the MTHR website at www.mthr.org.uk.
	Research on exposure to radiofrequency (RF) fields was comprehensively reviewed in 2003 by the independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) in "Health Effects from Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields" [Documents of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), Vol. 14, No 2]. AGNIR concluded that:
	"The weight of evidence now available does not suggest that there are adverse health effects from exposures to RF fields below guideline levels, but the published research on RF exposures and health has limitations, and mobile phones have only been in widespread use for a relatively short time".
	This information is available on the Health Protection Agency (HPA) website at www.hpa.org.uk/radiation. AGNIR advises the HPA's radiation protection division, formerly the NRPB, which keeps the worldwide research findings under surveillance.

Pharmacists

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice she plans to give to primary care trusts on the commissioning of services from pharmacists to secure a common protocol to be followed.

Jane Kennedy: The new community pharmacy contractual framework (CPCF) went live from 1 April. Contractors should ensure by 1 October they meet the requirements for the provision of essential services. Where a pharmacy proposes to provide advanced services, it must also meet the necessary accreditation requirements. Guidance for primary care trusts (PCTs) and contractors about the new CPCF is available on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/Publications AndStatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGui dance/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidanceArticle/fs/en?C ONTENT ID=4109256&chk=/hpbTh.
	Further guidance on commissioning local enhanced services will be available to PCTs and contractors as soon as possible.

Smoking

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment the Government have made of the impact of smoking in the workplace on (a) individuals and (b) the NHS;
	(2)  what steps the Government are taking to encourage smoke-free working environments.

Caroline Flint: The most recent estimate of the number of workplace deaths caused by second-hand smoke was published in the British Medical Journal on 2 March 2005 in a report by Professor Konrad Jamrozik. This gave an estimate of 617 deaths a year in the United Kingdom. The author acknowledges that the results are "distinctly sensitive" to some of the underlying assumptions. A copy of the paper is available in the Library.
	In the Queen's speech, the Department has set out plans for legislation to make the vast majority of enclosed public places and workplaces smoke-free within the next four years.
	A partial impact regulatory assessment (RIA) has been published alongside the Choosing Health White Paper, which gives initial estimates of the possible impact on smoking prevalence. This estimates that the proposal outlined in the White Paper might reduce smoking rates by between 0.7 and 1.7 percentage points. The RIA contains estimates of costs and benefits of a ban on smoking in the workplace. A copy is available in the Library.

Surplus Sites

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list those sites in England and Wales, within her responsibility, which have been identified as surplus to requirements; what plans have been identified as their possible future use; what consultative process will be followed in each case; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The list shows the larger sites that are surplus to the requirements of the national health service in England and in the ownership of Secretary of State for Health.
	The list includes 22 sites that are due to transfer to English Partnerships (EP) as part of a wider agreement with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and in support of the Government's sustainable communities plan. 67 surplus NHS sites have already been transferred to EP this year, as part of the same programme. It will be for EP to decide how to take forward all these sites subject to the normal planning process.
	The list also includes other larger sites which are surplus to the requirements of the NHS but which are not being transferred to EP. Arrangements for the disposal of these sites are at various stages and it is not clear in every case exactly what the future use will be. It is likely that most will be redeveloped for residential purposes; the manner of development will be the subject of local consultation and the planning process.
	Turner Village, Colchester 1
	St. Margaret's Hospital, Epping 1
	Runwell Hospital, Wickford 1
	Part Harperbury Hospital, Radlett, Herts
	Part Little Plumpstead Hospital, Nr Norwich
	Part Cane Hill, Coulsdon 1
	Part Napsbury Hospital, Herts
	St. Leonard's, Ringwood 1
	Standish Hospital, Stroud
	Okehampton Castle Hospital, Okehampton
	Part Countess of Chester, Chester 1
	Northern View, Bradford
	Sedgefield Hospital, Sedgefield
	St. Mary's, Stannington
	Homelands Hospital, Crook 1
	Part Hartlepool General Hospital, Hartlepool 1
	Part St. George's Hospital, Morpeth 1
	Part Prudhoe Hospital, Prudhoe 1
	Part Cherry Knowle, Sunderland 1
	Part Wharfedale Hospital, Otley 1
	Part Grimsby District General Hospital, Grimsby 1
	Middleton Hospital, Ilkley
	Graylingwell, Chichester 1
	Stone House, Dartford 1
	Part St. Ebbas, Epsom 1
	Part West Park Hospital, Epsom 1
	Part Southlands Hospital, Shoreham 1
	Land at Gordon Barracks, Gillingham
	Land at Forest Lodge, St. James Hospital, Portsmouth
	Eastry Hospital, Kent
	Hollywood Lodge, Epsom
	Part Manor/Kingsway Hospital, Derby 1
	Part Towers Hospital, Leicester 1
	Land at Towers Hospital, Leicester
	Royal Shrewsbury, South 1
	The Beeches Hospital, Telford 1
	Lake View Close, St. Margaret's Hospital site, Great Barr, Birmingham
	Land at Alexandra Hospital, Redditch
	1 Denotes sites that will transfer to English Partnerships

Recounts

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will publish the guidelines to returning officers for holding recounts in parliamentary elections.

Harriet Harman: The Government do not issue guidance to local authorities on factors to be taken into account before, during or after a UK parliamentary election. Guidance on the administration of elections is issued to returning officers by the Electoral Commission—"Managing a UK parliamentary general election–a good practice guidance manual" is available on the Commission's website at: http://www.electoralcomm ission.gov.uk/files/dms/GeguidancePartGFINAL 158 42 11649 E S W .pdf. Guidance on recounts can be found in Part G of this document. Other specific guidance—for instance on security issues and returning officers' expenses—is issued by my Department and is available on the departmental website.
	Returning officers operate independently from both local authorities and central government. Any guidance is offered for their assistance but they are not bound either to accept or to follow it.

Referendums (Campaign Spending)

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what restrictions there are on campaign spending by (a) Northern Ireland political parties and (b) Northern Ireland-based registered third parties in (i) UK-wide referendums and (ii) Northern Ireland-only referendums.

Harriet Harman: The restrictions on campaign spending are set out in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA). A campaigning body or individual wishing to spend more than £10,000 at a referendum held under this Act would need to register with the Electoral Commission as a "permitted participant."
	The expenditure limits for a political party registered as a permitted participant in a UK-wide referendum are determined by the share of the vote that the party achieved in the most recent Westminster parliamentary general election, as set out in the table.
	
		
			 Percentage of the vote Amount 
		
		
			 30 £5 million 
			 20 to 30 £4 million 
			 10 to 20 £3 million 
			 5 to 10 £2 million 
			 less than 5 £500,000 
		
	
	A permitted participant, including a political party, is able to apply to the Electoral Commission to be the designated organisation for the outcome they are campaigning for. In this case the expenditure limit for a UK-wide referendum would be £5 million.
	The expenditure limit for all other permitted participants at a UK-wide referendum, which would include Northern Ireland-based recognised third parties, would be £500,000, regardless of where the permitted participants are based.
	For a Northern Ireland-only referendum the expenditure limits would be set by order by the Secretary of State, having sought the views of the Electoral Commission.

Afghanistan

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the value of the opium crop in Afghanistan was in each of the last five years.

Kim Howells: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducts an annual survey into the level of opium poppy cultivation and production in Afghanistan. Full details can be found on their website: http://www.unodc.org.
	UNODC assess that the "Farm Gate Value" of opiates in Afghanistan in the last five years is as follows:
	
		Farm gate value 
		
			  US$ 
		
		
			 2000 91 million 
			 2001 56 million 
			 2002 1.2 billion 
			 2003 1.02 billion 
			 2004 0.6 billion 
		
	
	The UK, as lead nation on counter narcotics (CN), remains committed to supporting the Afghan Government in the implementation of their comprehensive 2005 CN Implementation Plan and in updating their National Drug Control Strategy. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton (Mr. Gibb) on 2 June 2005, Official Report, column 234W, on the counter narcotics programme in Afghanistan,.

Afghanistan

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much financial assistance was provided to Afghanistan in each of the last five years.

Kim Howells: Between Financial Years (FY) 2000–01 and 2004–05, the UK provided around £570 million in development assistance to Afghanistan (including support for humanitarian assistance, security sector reform and counter-narcotics). The following table provides the yearly breakdown. We also provide about £40 million each year to Afghanistan through multilateral channels such as the United Nations and the European Union.
	
		
			  £ million 
			  Financial year 
			  2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 Department for International Development (DFID) Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department 5 45 45 6 — 
			 DFID Afghanistan Programme — — 33 75 78 
			 Cross Whitehall Counter Narcotics Fund — — — 16.6 28 
			 Global Conflict Prevention Pool (joint DFID-Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)-Ministry of Defence) — — 11 10.3 16.3 
			 FCO Global Opportunities Fund — — — — 0.7 
			 Total 5 45 89 107.9 123

European Council

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what decisions the European Council has taken by (a) vote, (b) majority vote and (c) qualified majority vote in each of the last 10 years.

Douglas Alexander: The European Council, composed of Heads of State or Government, generally acts by consensus rather than by voting. The Council of Ministers, by contrast, takes decisions by simple majority, qualified majority or unanimity voting, in accordance with its legal framework. Since January 2001, details of voting in the Council of Ministers have been published by the Council Secretariat in its monthly summaries of Council acts. These can be accessed on the Council's internet site at http://ue.eu.int/cms3 applications/showPage.ASP?id=551&lang=en& mode=g